Ultra Marathon
Written by Evolution Trail Founder Elaine Collins
This time last year while training for my first international half marathon I decided, finally that I was ready to train for an ultramarathon. The idea had been in my head for a couple of years and I figured 2020 was a good year to give it a go.
Paris half was cancelled the day before the race. We had collected our numbers from the expo and were taking in the sights of the city when the email landed. Sadly this was the first of many races to be cancelled due to covid 19.
As the year of lockdown, social distancing and mask wearing continued races were very few and far between. Autumn brought a little more freedom and a few well managed events took place….. it felt like light at the end of the tunnel.
Late 2020
Feeling hopeful and inspired by running friends, I signed up for my first trail marathon. I started to read up about the training needed for this event and in the learning process my mind, once again started to wonder about the possibility of completing an ultra race. The trail marathon is in May 2021 so would provide a good base to build up to running a 30 something mile ultra.
Naturally, marathon training started in November 2020. I like to be well prepared for new challenges. The event is 26 miles with 5800 ft elevation - for a road runner this will put me way out of my comfort zone.
December 2020
During December I went for it head first and ran the Sandstone Trail (local long distance waymarked path) in 2 parts. Frodsham to Beeston one Saturday and then Beeston to Whitchurch the following Sunday. The weather was fairly kind to us but conditions underfoot were hard going and the combination of the 2 days drained my strength and left me with a few niggles. Great mental and physical training but a reset was needed; a few easy weeks of running and a better training strategy as opposed to just running ALL the trails and hills!
January 2021
Welcome to 2021. goodbye to 2020! Oh wait, lockdown 3.0 ?? The whole of England is placed under restrictions once more limiting travel and exercise, all non essential shops are closed once more (including trainer shops!) Along with hairdressers and gyms.
We have had a couple of really cold/snowy/icy weeks and now Northwich has flooded, so glad this year has gotten off to such a great start.
Up until now, January running has been done cautiously, mainly flat and short (ish) routes combined with some home strength/stretch work and a focus on good nutrition.
Feeling good and wanting a change of scenery, I plotted an 11 mile trail route in and around Delamere Forest on the Friday for us to run the day after. The forecast was for snow but they never get it right - or maybe they do!
The run turned out to be a brilliant adventure! It was tough going and we were underprepared, we were out for almost 2 hours on very little for breakfast and carrying no food or water. Great training though and a valuable lesson relearned - trails runs always take longer than I estimate, especially in snow and ice!
January week 4 will be an easy one, with marathon training beginning properly 1st week of Feb.
Stay tuned to see how my adventure pans out.